Babar Azam QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune becomes first QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Pakistan captain to win opening four Tests; ICC Player of the Month page 14 TUESday, MAY 11, 2021 Al Rayyan edge Al Duhail, set up Amir Cup final clash with Al Sadd

Traore, Brahimi among goals for the Lions; Olunga gets one for Al Duhail

Tribune News Network forced beyond. The end game, with eight more minutes added to nor- Al Rayyan players rejoice after their Amir Cup 2021 semi-final 2-1 win over Al Duhail at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday. (Right) (centre), who scored Al Rayyan roared themselves mal time, saw Al Duhail’s Al Rayyan’s second goal, is ecstatic. into the Amir Cup 2021 final Almoez Ali being flashed with on Monday with a thrilling a red card. in their semi-final on Sunday. bi box and even came close 2-1 win over Al Duhail at the Al Rayyan players exulted Al Sadd relied on goals from to scoring at the half-hour Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium soon after the final whistle Nam Tae-hee (11th minute), mark but missed the target under lights. rejoicing at making the pres- (56th from close range. Al Sadd had Dame Traore opened the tigious Amir Cup final. minute) and Santiago Cazorla around 75 per cent of ball pos- scoring for the Lions in the Al Rayyan thus far have (80th minute, penalty. session in the first half. 13th minute of play as he won six Amir Cup titles with Coached by Hernan- In the 56th minute, headed a corner kick superbly their last being in 2013 while dez, Al Sadd dominated set- Bounedjah made the most of into the goal. Al Duhail were twice recent pieces as they posted a con- Hassan Al Haydos’s delivery Soon in the second half, winners in 2018 and 2019. vincing win on home turf. to score a goal with a right- Yacine Brahimi doubled the Al Rayyan will now lock They kicked off the pro- footed drive. After winning a score from a spot kick in the horns with defending champi- ceedings on an aggressive penalty kick following a rough 59th minute. ons Al Sadd at the same venue note, keeping most of the ball tackle by keeper Ibrahim, Al The Red Knights tried hard on Friday. possession. Sadd’s Cazorla easily convert- and their in-form forward Mi- Al Sadd have a whopping After early attacks, Al Sadd ed the spot-kick for his side’s Al Duhail’s chael Olunga even pulled one 17 Amir Cup titles to their took the lead through Tae-hee, third goal with 10 minutes left Michael back in the 81st minute taking name starting since 1975. who headed home from inside on the clock. Olunga (in advantage of a confusion of Al Rayyan, interestingly the box after a cross from Yu- Scoreline: Al Rayyan 2 (Dame red) during a the defence inside the penalty have been the first Amir Cup suf Abdurisag. Traore 13’, Yacine Brahimi 59’ goal-mouth area to add a twist to the semi- runners-up in 1973. Bounedjah continued to (P)) bt Al Duhail 1 (Michael melee. final but the issue couldn’t be Al Sadd beat Al Arabi 3-0 repeatedly attack the Al Ara- Olunga 81’) Sheikh Abdullah’s Mutabahi Sheikh Mohammed’s wins Prix Louis Saulnier Moharram makes perfect Tribune News Network debut, wins Prix Djelfor (PA) Doha Tribune News Network and dominated the mile for Cabre finished two lengths His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Doha three-year-old maidens by further in third. bin Khalifa Al Thani’s home- seven lengths with Guil- “We had got a fair bred Mutabahi (FR) (French His Highness Sheikh Mo- laume Guedj–Gay in the sad- amount of work into him,” Fifteen x Marina Piccola) made hammed bin Khalifa Al dle at the main expense of the said Thomas Fourcy, “and he a big impression by winning Thani’s homebred Mohar- Jean de Mieulle-trained and should have made his debut the Prix Louis Saulnier, a 2,000 ram (FR) (ASSY x Amandine Olivier D’ Andigne-ridden sooner, but he developed a metre race for three-year- De Ghazal) made a winning Ihsan D’etiolles (Tabarak x cough. olds maidens at Lyon-Parilly, debut in the Prix Djelfor – Ouasis Du Croate). “He had every right to France, on Sunday. Wathba Stallion Cup at Bor- The latter had the ad- make a bold showing on his The two previous winners deaux-Le Bouscat in France vantage of prior racecourse debut.” of the same contest, Chan- on Sunday. experience. Ibis De Litre Being a son of Assy and nel (Nathaniel) (2019) and In The Thomas Fourcy- (FR) (Nieshan x Djamila De Amandine De Ghazal (Dor- Swoop (Adlerflug) (2020) went trained colt was last, but one Carrere), who is trained by mane), Moharram hails from on to respectively to win the for a long way. However, he the winning trainer Thomas the same line as the high Prix de Diane Longines, and came good in the straight Fourcy, and ridden by Jerme class Gazwan. finish second in the Qatar Prix Mutabahi on way to winning the Prix Louis Saulnier, a 2,000 metre race for three-year-olds maidens at de l’Arc de Triomphe (Grs1). Lyon-Parilly, France, on Sunday. (Pic: H Durand) After a good start, the Henri Alex Pantall-trained Mutabahi clear of the rest as there was a Mutabahi is a son of Frech The grandam, Marine showed a sharp turn of foot further of gap of over six lengths Fifteen (Turtle Bowl), a stal- Bleue (Desert Prince), won the some 250 metres from to wire back to the third, the JM. Barat- lion based at the Haras du Kolner Herbst-Stuten Meile to go clear of the field. ti-trained and Maxime Guyon– Logis Saint-Germain, and (Gr3, 1,600m) (1m) at three. For the record, the Henri- ridden Peinture Secrete (Lope Marina Piccola (Halling). The She has also produced the win- Alex Pantall-trained colt had de Vega x Painter’s Pride). latter won the Prix de Thiber- ner of this year’s Al Maktoum two and a half lengths to spare “I waited until he had found ville (L). He is a full brother Challenge R3 (Gr2), Military over the JP. Gauvin-trained his feet before going on the of- to French King, winner of the Law (Dubawi). and Guillaume Millet-ridden fensive,” said Julien Guillo- Grosser Preis von Berlin, Ber- Mutabahi is entered in the Rock Joyeux (Rock Of Gibraltar chon. “He really picked up well lin-Hoppegarten (Gr1) and the Grand Prix de (Gr1) which x Joiedargent). and his was a clean win. He re- HH The Amir Trophy (Gr1 QA) will be run at ParisLongchamp The principals were well sponded willingly.” at Al Rayyan Park, Doha. on July 14.

Quick read Juventus will be banned from if they are part of Super League: FIGC President Milan (Italy): Gabriele Gravina, President refused to get reintegrated into UEFA and as “They are simple principles, affirmed by the of the Italian Football Association (FIGC) on a result, they face further punishment. “The Olympic Charter and then reported by the Monday said that Juventus will be banned rules are clear. If Juventus is still part of the statutes of national and international federa- from Serie A next season if they still choose Super League when it enters next season, tions,” Gravina told Radio Anch’io Sport. to remain a part of the breakaway and rebel it can’t participate in Serie A,” Gabriele “They are clear principles, in which the exclu- European Super League. Gravina told Radio Kiss Kiss, as reported by sivity of sport management is established. Nine of the 12 founding clubs of the Euro- Goal.com. “I would be sorry for the fans but I hope that this dispute can be resolved as pean Super League have taken a step back rules are rules and they apply to everyone. I soon as possible. We are all a bit tired of and they have confirmed their commitment hope this holdout ends soon,” he added. this tug-of-war between UEFA and these three to UEFA. The three remaining clubs -- Real Gravina also said that he is eager to ensure clubs. I hope to be able to mediate between Moharram, ridden by Guillaume Guedj–Gay, made a winning debut in the Prix Djelfor – Wathba Stallion Cup Madrid, Juventus, and Barcelone -- had that Juventus are not banned in Serie A. Juventus and UEFA,” he added. (ANI) at Bordeaux-Le Bouscat in France on Sunday. (Pic: Robert Polin) Sports Tuesday, May 11, 2021 13 Maguire set to miss Madrid snatch a draw meeting with Leicester as Solskjaer rotates team

DPA against Sevilla with London

Captain Harry Maguire looks set to miss his first match since joining accidental Hazard strike Manchester United as Ole Gun- nar Solskjaer considers mass DPA changes against Leicester. Barcelona Tuesday’s match comes midway through their run of Eden Hazard made an acci- three top-flight matches in dental yet decisive interven- five days and the manager is tion to earn Real Madrid a last not planning to select his line- gasp 2-2 draw with Sevilla on up until the afternoon of the Sunday in . game to see how players have The Belgian forward, heav- recovered from Sunday’s win ily criticised by Real Madrid at Aston Villa. fans in the week after the club’s Solskjaer last week warned elimination in the Champions he would be willing to change League by Chelsea, deflected his entire starting line-up in Toni Kroos’s shot in the with Liverpool looming large Manchester United’s English 95th minute to earn his team on Thursday and United are defender Harry Maguire walks a crucial point. waiting to find out the severity off the pitch after picking up an It leaves Atletico Madrid of the ankle injury sustained injury during the English Premier top of the table and they will by former Leicester defender League match against Aston Villa be champions for the first time Maguire at Villa Park. on Sunday. (AFP) since 2014 if they win their last Anthony Martial and Phil three matches. Jones remain sidelined for the Friday’s 4-2 defeat to Newcas- Atletico have 77 points, hosts, while Daniel James has tle and has been playing with a followed by Real Madrid and missed recent matches. heel problem. Barcelona on 75, and Sevilla Leicester are likely to be and (both knee) are fourth on 71, each having without for the are out for ’ played 35 games. trip to . The for- side while Wes Morgan (back) Real, had they beaten Se- mer United defender limped is not expected to feature villa, would have the title in out of the warm-up ahead of again this season. their hands, but now they need Atletico to slip up. “We dropped two points today, we did everything we could to win the game and Bayern boss encourages Germany played quite well in the sec- ond half,” said Madrid’s Luka Sevilla’s Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou concedes an owngoal during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and to make quick decision on Flick Modric. Sevilla FC at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas, on the outskirts of Madrid on Sunday. (AFP) “But it didn’t go in and in DPA big clubs are interested.” The the end, even after that mo- work in the box and a cool fin- in the area, but VAR showed equaliser when Kroos’s shot points, behind Huesca and Munich 56-year-old Bayern boss Flick ment where we had a penalty ish, after collecting Ivan Rakit- Eder Militao had handled in deflected off Hazard on the Elche on 30, while Valladolid was allowed to leave his con- at one end and then it was a ic’s header after 22 minutes. his own box in the moments edge of the box and beat the have 31. Bayern Munich chairman tract, to 2023, early by the penalty at the other, we are Madrid substitute Marco before and Sevilla were award- wrong-footed Bono. Celta Vigo earned a sur- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge be- German champions and is still alive.” Asensio levelled after 67 min- ed the spot kick. Earlier bottom-of-the- prise 4-2 win over Europa lieves the German football fed- already in negotiations to re- Sevilla started well against utes, shortly after entering “For me it was a clear pen- table Eibar continued fighting League finalists Villarreal, eration (DFB) should waste no place Loew, who will stand Madrid in a thrilling clash at the fray, coolly finishing after alty, it was handball,” said for their survival earning a 1-0 sixth. time in confirming Hansi Flick down after the delayed Euro the Alfredo di Stefano stadi- Kroos set him up. Rakitic. “We can talk about win at Getafe thanks to Recio’s Villarreal had substitutes as successor to Joachim Loew 2020 this summer. um, but Madrid thought they However Rakitic put Sevil- how I interpreted it, how you late penalty. Geronimo Rulli and Mario as national coach. Rummenigge is puzzled had gone ahead when Karim la back ahead from the penalty did or how the referee did. The Basque side are two Gaspar sent off just before “Hansi would be the per- there hasn’t been an agreement Benzema headed past Bono, spot after a bizarre passage of “It’s a handball, it’s bad points from safety with three half-time for complaining af- fect coach for the national announced between the two with the goal was ruled out for play. luck for them but the referee games to go, with Real Vall- ter Celta Vigo were awarded team,” Rummenigge told the parties. “There is the impres- offside. Benzema thought he had did the correct thing.” adolid, 17th, losing 3-0 at Va- a penalty, while Facundo Fer- Bild newspaper on Monday. “I sion they (the DFB) are waiting Fernando sent Sevilla won a penalty for Madrid With the clock ticking lencia. reyra was dismissed for two wouldn’t make a big splash at on something but I wouldn’t ahead with some nice foot- when Bono brought him down down Madrid snatched a vital Eibar are 20th with 29 bookings late on. the DFB but I imagine many recommend that,” he said. Milan enhance hopes, Rossoneri stun in race for Serie A top-four spot DPA table. Juve, meanwhile, drop Rome down to fifth with just three games remaining. Milan emphatically enhanced Giorgio Chiellini had their Champions League hopes failed to take a glorious at Juventus’ expense after a chance to open the scor- thumping 3-0 win at the Allianz ing just after the half-hour Stadium on Sunday. mark, the veteran defender Rennes’ French forward Serhou Guirassy (R) celebrates with Rumoured Juve target heading wide at the back teammates after scoring the equaliser during the French L1 match en- post from a corner with a between Stade Rennais Football Club and Paris Saint-Germain at joyed a quiet game after a flailing Donnarumma no- the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, France, on Sunday. (AFP) controversial week in which where to be seen. Milan supporters reportedly Milan then went ahead in demanded he missed the stoppage time when Diaz su- Rennes 1-1 PSG: Champions’ clash after contract nego- perbly whipped into the top- tiations had stalled, but the right corner after Szczesny’s title hopes suffer blow same could not be said for his weak clearance from Hakan Juve counterpart. Calhanoglu’s free-kick had DPA nate just after the half-hour Wojciech Szczesny’s tepid fallen kindly to him. Paris mark, Danilo Pereira bundling punch allowed Brahim Diaz Szczesny made amends into Guirassy, who would have to open the scoring on the for his role in the opener, Paris Saint-Germain’s been through on goal, yet the stroke of half-time, although turning away Kessie’s 58th- hopes of retaining their Ligue officials failed to spot the foul. the Poland international re- minute spot-kick after Diaz’s 1 crown took a huge blow Rennes’ frustration with the deemed himself to some ex- shot had hit Chiellini’s arm - as Serhou Guirassy cancelled officials was exacerbated on the tent by keeping out Franck the penalty given after refer- out ’s penalty to earn stroke of half-time. Kessie’s second-half penalty. ee Paolo Valeri had reviewed AC Milan’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (C) and Juventus’ Portuguese forward Rennes a 1-1 draw on Sunday. Nayef Aguerd stuck out There was little he could the incident on the pitchside react during the Italian Serie A match at the Juventus Stadium in Turin on Sunday. (AFP) With Lille beating Lens 3-0 a leg to deny Kurzawa, who do about Ante Rebic’s stun- monitor - but the reprieve did on Friday, the pressure was needed treatment and, after ning strike, however, and not trigger a Juve fightback. ute, put the game out of the On-loan Chelsea defend- maining as Milan ended a run on ’s side checking with the VAR, Rud- Fikayo Tomori’s late header Instead, Rebic, who had home team’s reach with a glo- er Tomori powered home a of nine straight away league - knocked out of the Champi- dy Buquet harshly deemed it made certain ’s replaced the injured Zlatan rious long-range strike into header from Calhanoglu’s defeats to Juventus in eye- ons League in midweek - to a foul. side moved up to third in the Ibrahimovic in the 66th min- Szczesny’s top-left corner. cross with eight minutes re- catching style. respond in the title race. Neymar’s finish was far But without the suspended from convincing - Alfred Kylian Mbappe, PSG turned in Gomis guessing the right way, a below-par performance, and but failing to keep out the Bra- only led thanks to Neymar’s zil star’s strike. contentious first-half penalty. A fine first touch put Doku UEFA poised to switch Champions League final to Wembley went close through immediately after the to doubling PSG’s tally, yet restart, only for the winger to DPA (DCMS) on Monday with a entry to the country for its to accommodate the Champi- their sluggishness finallydirect a tame attempt straight London decision expected within the delegates, along with media, ons League final - should it be proved costly as Guirassy at . next 24 hours. sponsors and other VIPs. contacted by UEFA. headed home in the 70th min- Draxler is reportedly next UEFA is set to switch the Transport secretary Grant It also wants the Govern- That could mean the ute, with ’s in line for a new PSG deal, and Champions League final to Shapps said on Friday that ment to ensure it can match matches being played on dif- late red card compounding the the Germany international Wembley if certain assurances supporters of Chelsea and the 22,500 capacity pledged ferent dates, or at alternative champions’ misery. nearly produced a stunning can be met. Manchester City should not for the group stage and last 16 venues. sliced goal before the hour, but after The UK government’s de- travel to Turkey for the match, matches at Euro 2020. Turkey was placed on the wide from Layvin Kurzawa’s setting himself up with some cision to place Turkey on the but added that the Govern- UEFA’s insistence on Government’s ‘red list’ after a cut back, but PSG otherwise wonderful touches, his on-the- high-risk ‘red list’ for interna- ment was “very open” to stag- Wembley would require the rise in coronavirus infections started poorly, and were al- turn volley flashed just wide. tional travel on Friday threw ing it here. Championship play-off final in the country. most punished when Guirassy went similarly plans to stage the all-English UEFA is understood to to be moved. It is understood UEFA was chested in Jeremy Doku’s close moments later, though May 29 showpiece in Istanbul understood to be meeting vir- have ruled out any venue It is understood the EFL given notice of the Govern- shot, though the offside flag PSG could only attack in flash- into disarray. tually with civil servants from within the UK except for would consider all options ment’s intention to make this was rightly raised. es, and they were made to pay Officials from European Britain’s Department of Digi- Wembley, and to be seeking – including altering the ar- move well ahead of it being PSG were again fortu- with 20 minutes remaining. football’s governing body are tal, Culture, Media and Sport guarantees of quarantine-free rangements for those fixtures publicly confirmed on Friday. 14 Tuesday, May 11, 2021 Sports Babar Azam becomes first Pakistan captain to win opening four Tests

Agencies serves to win this award.” From the Australian camp, Alyssa Healy was deservingly Pakistan Board named the ICC Women’s Play- (PCB) on Monday congratu- er of the Month for April 2021. lated the Pakistan men’s Healy’s consistency with cricket team on their sixth the bat has been a significant Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates with his wife Erica and consecutive series win and Ba- part of Australia’s dominance, daughter Poppy after winning during the final round of the 2021 Wells bar Azam, who has become the showing her class in all condi- Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, first Pakistan captain to win tions and against all types of on Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP) his opening four Tests. bowling in the recent series The International Cricket against New Zealand. Council (ICC) earlier an- Healy played three ODIs nounced the winners of the versus New Zealand, scoring McIlroy in Wells Fargo ICC Player of the Month 155 runs at an average of 51.66 Awards for April which rec- and a strike rate of 98.72. Her ognise and celebrate the best efforts saw her finish as the Championships win, performances from both male leading run-scorer in Austral- and female cricketers across ia’s series victory over New Zea- his first since 2019 all forms of international land that extended their record- cricket throughout the year. winning streak to 24 ODIs. DPA The win is McIlroy’s third Pakistan’s Babar Azam Commenting on Healy’s Washington at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, won the ICC Men’s Player of performance in April, Ian North Carolina, and sees him the Month for April 2021, for Bishop representing the ICC Rory McIlroy claimed his return to the top 10 of the his consistent and outstand- Pakistan men’s cricket team won their sixth consecutive series in Zimbabwe on Monday and Babar Azam, Voting Academy added: “Healy first win since 2019 with a one- world rankings two weeks be- ing performances across all became the first Pakistan captain to win his opening four Tests.(Pic: Twitter) deserves to win the ICC Wom- shot victory at the Wells Fargo fore the year’s second major formats in the recently con- en’s Player of the Month - April Championship. at another of the 32-year-old’s cluded series against South South Africa helped him gain 13 against the same opposition. cricket. One way is to destroy as she added the runs at the The Northern Irishman sur- happy hunting grounds. Africa and was chosen as the rating points to reach a career- Commenting on Azam’s attacks with muscle and force top consistently and at a good vived a scare at the final hole, The US PGA Champion- April winner by fans and the best 865 points. He also con- performance in April, Ramiz and then there is the Babar tempo to help set up Australia’s where his tee shot narrowly ship is being staged at Kiawah ICC voting academy. tributed 122 from 59 balls in Raja representing the ICC Vot- Azam way, like conducting a scoring in chases and target avoided a stream to the left of Island for the first time since Babar’s match-winning 82- Pakistan’s successful chase in ing Academy said: “The world batting symphony with punch, setting across all three games the fairway, to complete a clos- McIlroy romped to an eight- ball 94 in the third ODI against the third match of a T20I series bats in two ways in white ball panache and flair, and he de- of their record-breaking series.” ing 68 for a 10-under-par total. shot win there in 2012.

Bach’s Japan visit postponed Pakistan wrap up Zimbabwe series 2-0 as COVID-19 state of emergency extended DPA Tokyo

A planned visit by Internation- al Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach to Ja- pan ahead of the Tokyo Games has been postponed, local or- ganizers said on Monday, as the Japanese government ex- A file of November 16, 2020 tended the coronavirus state shows International Olympic of emergency in the region. Committee (IOC) president Tokyo organizers will re- Thomas Bach wearing a face schedule his visit as soon as mask as he arrives to meet with possible while monitoring the the Tokyo governor in Tokyo. (AFP) pandemic situation and other factors, they said. coronavirus infections had not Both Bach and Japanese started to decline in the Olym- Prime Minister Yoshihide pic host city. Suga repeatedly vowed to hold Last month, Suga declared the delayed Tokyo Olympics the state of emergency in the though Japan has struggled to four prefectures from April 25 rein in another wave of coro- to May 11. The IOC chief was Pakistan players with the series trophy after winning the second Test at in Zimbabwe on Monday. navirus infections. originally planning to partici- Suga on Friday announced pate in a torch relay event in Agencies Shaheen Afridi, who was fam- brink of a sweeping series vic- double ton while Hasan Ali b Shaheen Afridi 37 the 20-day extension of the state the western city of Hiroshima Harare ished for the final to tory ahead of day four. was graced with Player of the B. Muzarabani 4 of emergency in Tokyo, Osaka, on May 17, and hold talks with complete his five-wicket haul. The visitors created a re- Series for picking 14 wick- Extras: (b1, lb5, nb1) 7 Kyoto and Hyogo through May Suga and Hashimoto the fol- Shaheen Afridi completed Shaheen snared the prized cord in the process, it was the ets and two five-wicket hauls Total: (All Out, 68 overs) 231 31, less than two months be- lowing day, but the plan had his five-for as Pakistan domi- wicket of Jongwe (37) as the first instance for three bowl- across the two Tests. Bowling: Shaheen Shah Afridi fore the scheduled July 23 start never been confirmed. nated the Zimbabwe tour with batter edged the ball to the ers to pick up a five-for each 20-5-52-5 (1nb), Tabish Khan of the delayed Olympics in the Hiroshima Governor Hide- a sweeping Test series victory. keeper. in the same Test for Pakistan. Scoreboard 11-3-46-0, Hasan Ali 10-7-9-0, Japanese capital. hiko Yuzaki decided on Monday Trailing behind by 158 Exploits from the Pakistan The visitors clinched the series Pakistan (1st innings): 510-8 Sajid Khan 6-1-32-0, Nauman Tokyo Olympic organizing not to hold next week’s torch re- runs, Zimbabwe’s final pair, bowlers on the third day that comprehensively with a 2-0 declared Ali 21-3-86-5. committee president Seiko lay on public roads in his prefec- Luke Jongwe, and Bless- cemented the foundations saw win – defeating Zimbabwe by Zimbabwe (1st innings): 132 Result: Pakistan won by an in- Hashimoto told reporters on ture due to surging infections. ing Muzarabani resisted 61 the fall of 15 across an innings on both occasions. Zimbabwe (2nd innings; Over- nings and 147 runs. Friday that Bach’s travel to Ja- The announcement comes a deliveries. Only one wicket the two Zimbabwe innings, Abid Ali was awarded night 220-9) Series: Pakistan won the two- pan later this month was “very day after Hiroshima reported a away, Babar Azam deployed brought the visitors on the Player of the Match for his L. Jongwe c Mohammad Rizwan match series 2-0. difficult” as the number of new record 195 new cases.

ITALIAN OPEN Sinner sets up clash with Nadal Kvitova rallies to oust Linette, DPA Swiatek also through Rome

Jannik Sinner set up a sec- DPA serve and broke her serve, I ond round clash with nine- Rome think since then it was much, time champion Rafael Na- much better.” dal after brushing aside Ugo Petra Kvitova recovered French Open champion Iga Humbert in the first round of from a poor start to beat Mag- Swiatek advanced when Alison the Italian Open in Rome. da Linette in the first round of Riske retired at 5-4 down in the The 19-year-old Sinner the Internazionali BNL d’Italia first set due to a recurrence of a needed 90 minutes to over- on Monday. left foot injury. come the Frenchman 6-2 6-4 Linette took just 31 min- Swiatek, who will take despite a brief setback when utes to win the first set in on Sloane Stephens or Madi- he dropped opening service Rome, but world number 10 son Keys in the second game in the second set. Kvitova responded superbly to round, made 18 unforced er- Kei Nishikori produced win 1-6 6-0 6-2. rors but had won four games a dominant performance on Two-time Grand Slam in a row from 4-1 down when his first serve as he beat Fa- champion Kvitova racked the American was unable to bio Fognini 6-3 6-4, while up 16 unforced errors in the continue. Coco Gauff battled in-form Aslan Karatsev was first set,yet rallied like the past Yulia Putintseva 7-5 4-6 a 7-6 (2) 6-4 winner over Mi- great competitor she has 6-4 to set up a meeting with omir Kecmanovic. proved to be for so long to en- 17th seed Maria Sakkari - who Marin Cilic came from a set sure she will face Vera Zvon- fended off qualifier Polona down to defeat Alexander Bub- Italy’s Jannik Sinner serves to France’s Ugo Humbert during their first round match of the Italian Open at areva - conqueror of Christina Hercog 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-2. lik 4-6 6-2 6-3, while other first Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, on Monday. (AFP) McHale - in the second round. Czech Petra Kvitova returns a Amanda Anisimova will round winners on Monday in- The 11th seed from the forehand to Polish Magda Linette do battle with Elina Svitolina, cluded Federico Delbonis, Mar- Taylor Fritz in the first round. Fritz in a 6-3, 6-2 defeat. the second. Czech Republic said: “The first during their first round match of a winner of this tournament ton Fucsovics, Cristian Gavin The British number one Evans obliterated his He dug in after losing an set I started very badly. I was the Women’s Italian Open twice, after defeating Wang and Jan-Lennard Struff. has had an impressive clay- racket after losing five games early break of serve in the sec- missing almost everything. On at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, Qiang 7-5 6-3. court campaign, showing the in a row to end the first set, ond set but looked mentally the court... [the ball] was bounc- on Monday. (AFP) Jessie Pegula, Jennifer Evans loses temper progress he has made on his and he directed a stream of and physically weary, and was ing everywhere as well. A little Brady and Petra Martic were Dan Evans suffered a bad- least-favourite surface, but he invective towards his support unable to find a way back into bit windy. I just had to get used “The beginning of the sec- among the other winners on tempered loss to American was thoroughly outplayed by camp in the early stages of the match. to probably everything. ond set when finallyI held my day one. Sports Tuesday, May 11, 2021 15 Ahmed Elkhoully wins 1st round of Qatar Digital Motorsports C’ship Tribune News Network Doha

Ahmed Elkhoully took the top honours in the first round of the Qatar Digital Motorsports Championship on Sunday. Elkhoully, the defending champion, was once again impressive in the virtual race played on Gran Turismo Sport game (Fuji International Speedway (4.563 km) on Play- Station 4. The event has been organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF). Elkhoully was dominant throughout the 13-lap virtual race set at Japan’s Fuji Inter- national Speedway. In sec- ond placed was Sheikh Soud Jassim Al Thani with Hade Action from the first round of the Qatar Digital Motorsports Championship held on Sunday. Ahmed Elkhoully, the defending champion, was once again impressive in the virtual race played on Gran Turismo Sport game Ahmed coming third. (Fuji International Speedway) on PlayStation 4. The event has been organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF). The opening round saw 12 participants, with seven of Omar Aswat was the Director. 2. Sheikh Soud Jassim Al Thani secs 7. Omran Yahya +25.025 secs 10. Khalid Al Abdulla +30.153 them being Qataris. The sec- QDMC Observer, Aaron Lim- Results (1st Round) +08.013 secs 5. Zaid Albani +20.984 secs 8. Khalid Al Maraghi +25.734 secs ond round of the champion- bago, the Timekeeping Offic- 1. Ahmed Elkhoully Time: 3. Hade Ahmed +16.796 secs 6. Mansour Dbeissy +23.289 secs 11. Ali Al Zubairi ship will be held on Tuesday. er, and Rami Azzam, the Race 16.44.584 seconds 4. Rashid Al Mannai +20.803 secs 9. Faesal Alyafei +29.106 secs 12. Ahmad Shaheen. Mercedes boss Wolff hopes Hamilton will sign a longer deal

DPA “We never want to be in Barcelona the position that we were in in January, in February. It Mercedes team principal ruined my whole winter and Toto Wolff hopes Formula I’m sure it wasn’t helpful for Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas drives ahead of Mercedes’ One world champion Lewis Toto’s. British driver Lewis Hamilton during the Spanish Formula One Grand Hamilton will sign a new deal “It felt like we didn’t really Prix race at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on the outskirts of with the team for more than a have much of a break,” Hamil- Barcelona on Sunday. (AFP) year and suggested the Briton ton explained. could race into his 40s. He’s been driving for Mer- Seven-time world cham- cedes since 2013 and secured six Bottas ignores team pion Hamilton, meanwhile, of his seven titles with the team. wants to have a clear picture “Our relationship is getting of his future at the team before stronger every year,” Hamilton orders amid rumours the summer break in August. said, not mentioning, however, Talking to the PA news how much longer he wants to agency, Wolff said he expects drive in Formula One. he can be replaced the driver to commit to at least Wolff believes that a two-year contract extension. 36-year-old Hamilton can “We don’t want to be in a compete into his 40s as long mid-season stressful situation every single as he “continues to look af- year where we are absolutely ter himself mentally and DPA flat-out trying to win races and physically. Berlin Valtteri Bottas ignored needing to negotiate. I would “Look at Tom Brady [43] team orders to let rather that doesn’t happen and we are talking about an Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes team-mate Lewis every year,” Wolff said. athlete that is on the field. was once again a supporting After winning the Spanish Here is a racing driver that actor in the Spanish Grand Hamilton by during the Grand Prix on Sunday, Ham- has utilized all his senses,” the Prix while team-mate Lewis Spanish Grand Prix. ilton said they don’t want to Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton talks to Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen after the Spanish For- Mercedes boss said. Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Team principal Toto Wolff “rush anything but I think we mula One Grand Prix race at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on the outskirts of Barcelona on Sunday. (AFP) After four of 23 races, Verstappen battled for the win, have to be sensible and start Hamilton leads the drivers’ as both drives continued their didn’t make a big deal conversations. he added. He and Wolff wanted to pen Hamilton contracted cor- championship with a 14-point thrilling title race this season. out of it and dismissed “It would be great to get Hamilton’s contract for wait until after Hamilton had onavirus. advantage over second-placed While the Silver Arrows rumours the Finn can be something in place before the 2021 was agreed only in Feb- clinched a record-equalling After the season ended, Max Verstappen of Red Bull. team had much to celebrate af- replaced mid-season. break so then we could have ruary and the Briton said the seventh title to start talks, but it was Wolff who also caught The title race goes on May ter the race with Hamilton first a clear picture of the future,” delay was not planned. when that was about to hap- COVID-19. 23 at the Monaco Grand Prix. and Bottas third, the Finn’s be- haviour on the track was a big post-race talking point. That’s because Bottas ig- nored team orders to let Hamil- ton by after the Briton did a pit- Jordan Motorsport unveils route stop for fresh tyres and was by far the fastest man in the field. Bottas was told on radio that his team-mate was on a different strategy and he details for 2021 Jordan Rally shouldn’t stand in the way. But Hamilton struggled be- hind the Finn for half a lap be- fore pulling a regular overtake maneuver, losing over a sec- ond on Verstappen, who was still leading the pack. A record-breaking 15th “I definitely could have let victory at his home him by earlier, but I was do- event in Qatar at the ing my own race as well,” Bot- end of January has tas told British broadcasters given Nasser Saleh Al Sky Sports. Attiyah the early lead in “It’s always calculating Valtteri Bottas celebrates on the 2021 series and the things. I was trying to get the podium after the Spanish winner of 13 Jordan ral- Charles [Leclerc] off the pit Formula One Grand Prix race window so I could stop again on Sunday. (AFP) lies will be hoping to and try to go for an extra point continue his remarkable [with the fastest lap],” the said, adding the matter will winning streak over 10 Finn explained. be discussing, but in a “very planned special stages. Hamilton said didn’t know camaraderie-like way.” Bottas had a message “so in Over the weekend, ru- my mind I was like we’re rac- mours emerged that Bottas ing. Valtteri was completely might be replaced mid-season, Qatar’s champion rally driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah in Jordan action in 2019. Meshari Al Thefiri in action in Jordan in 2019. fair.” But Bottas also pointed with Williams driver George out that “I’m not here to let Russell the most likely choice. Tribune News Network people by, I’m here to race, so “I know that I’m not going AMMAN (JORDAN) New Adasiyah and Joufeh stages set to challenge MERC competitors that’s how it goes,” as he has to be replaced in the middle of in the past already publicly the season,” Bottas assured, The 2021 FIA Middle East event in Oman. four gravel stages in the Dead of a stage near the Baptism Site podium finish and post-event admitted he doesn’t like such and hinted on rivals Red Bull Rally Championship (MERC) A record-breaking 15th vic- Sea and Mount Nebo areas, in a leg comprising 123.02 com- press conference, scheduled instructions. saying “there’s only one team resumes with the Jordan Rally tory at his home event in Qatar which hosted the FIA World petitive kilometres. from 17.30hrs onwards. Team principal Toto Wolff that does that kind of thing in on May 27th-29th. at the end of January has given Rally Championship thrice The punishing Jordan This year’s rally is based at said he was comfortable with F1, and we are not them.” Absent from a revised re- Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah the ear- (2008, 2010 and 2011). River stage of 31.01km gets leg the Crown Plaza Dead Sea Re- how things unfolded, but ac- Wolff also rejected the ru- gional rallying calendar in 2020 ly lead in the 2021 series and Two loops of three specials two (114.72km) underway and sort and Spa, where all neces- knowledged it may have been mours: “Unless he gets flu and because of the global COVID-19 the winner of 13 Jordan ral- make up the itinerary for the there is no respite for com- sary Covid-19 protocols will ap- different had Hamilton not can’t drive, he’s going to be situation, this year’s event has lies will be hoping to continue opening leg on Friday, May petitors with a pass through ply, including proof of negative won the race. in that car. I see no reason to been pushed back one week in his remarkable winning streak 28th, with crews set to face the the new challenge of Joufeh tests (48-hour validity) before “I can relate to Valtteri. change.” the calendar by Jordan Motor- over 10 planned special stages. 9.8km of Syagha, a demand- (26.35km) before the midday any access is given to the ser- He had a tough day again and Bottas next has the chance sport but retains its spot as the Jordan Motorsport has re- ing assault on the 34.70km of regroup and service at the Dead vice park area. you’re annoyed. If it would for his first season win at second round of the MERC fol- leased details of the itinerary a brand new Adasiyah special Sea. Both stages are repeated Entries close on Thursday have lost us the race I would the Monaco Grand Prix on lowing the postponement of the that features two legs of six and and a run through the 11.34km in the afternoon, prior to the (May 13th). have been more critical,” he May 23.